If you’re following the schedule, you should read these chapters today: 1 Chronicles 9–10, Hebrews 12, Amos 6, Luke 1:39–80. Click on any of those references to see all the passages in one long page on BibleGateway. If you can’t do all the readings today, read Amos 6.

A stable life is a peaceful life but, if we’re not careful, it can become a complacent life. Complacency, to me, is very similar to laziness. It is a satisfaction with life that causes someone to quit striving for excellence. This is the attitude that the Lord, through Amos, addressed here in Amos 6. Verse 1 tells us that this is directed to two groups of people—those “in Zion” which was Jerusalem, the capital of the Southern Kingdom of Judah and “on Mount Samaria” which was the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Who lives in these places? “Notable men” as verse 1 calls them live there; in other words, this is a prophecy directed to the leadership of both nations. Verses 4-7 describe the life of leisure these people have. They “lie on beds adorned with ivory and lounge on your couches” (v. 4a). They “dine on choice lambs and fattened calves” (v. 4b). They “strum away on your harps like David and improvise on musical instruments” (v. 5). they “drink wine by the bowlful and use the finest lotions” (v. 6). Sounds nice, yes? “But you do not grieve over the ruin of Joseph.” This is a reference to the spiritual decline of the nation.

This is one reason why materialism is so dangerous to spiritual growth. When you have everything you want, it is easy to believe that God is not important. Our struggles may be painful, but they keep us dependent on Christ. As we move toward Thanksgiving, this is a helpful warning. If it has been a good year for you financially, how’s your walk with God going?

Now for your thoughts: What stood out in your Bible reading for today? What questions do you have about what you read? What are your thoughts about what I wrote above? Post them in the comments below or on our Facebook page. And, feel free to answer and interact with the questions and comments of others. Have a great day; we’ll talk scripture again tomorrow.